Team Herald
PANJIM: BJP State president and MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Wednesday declined to comment on Calangute MLA Michael Lobo’s allegations that some elements including former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Goa Prant chief Subhash Velingkar were trying to create communal tensions in the State.
The loss of words is apparent since the BJP did not expect an opposition leader-type outburst by the Calangute MLA, as people are pointing fingers at MLAs in the ruling party for their political silence.
“I will bring it to the notice of Chief Minister. He (Lobo) should discuss his matter with the Chief Minister like how he discusses his other issues with him,” Tanavade said.
Stating that he had no whatsoever contact with Velingkar, Tanavade said, “Velingkar has even blamed me in a video which has gone viral. Velingkar held Satish Dhond, chief minister and me responsible.”
Tanavade said that in the past he had asked Lobo to refrain from raising his concerns in public, against the government and to air his grievances with the Chief Minister.
Earlier, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo demanded to know why Velingkar raised the St Francis Xavier issue one month before the beginning of decennial Exposition of the Saint’s relics. He alleged that the conspiracy over St Francis Xavier was created to deliberately divert the people’s attention from the anti-land conversion protests.
“I have come to know that Zuari Agro land has been converted and sanad has been issued. I will write a letter to South Goa Collector to seek details about it,” Lobo said.